A method for macroscopic assessment of countries' receptivity to cholera

It was shown possible to assess macroscopically countries' receptivity to cholera through the use of two commonly available socio-economic indicators. The indicators used were per capita GNP and population density per km2 of inhabitable area. These are related respectively to two major determinants of cholera receptivity: standard of living and population congestion. The global assessment of cholera receptivity indicated the seriousness of cholera as a public health problem in Africa and Asia. It also showed that cholera epidemics are a potential danger to a majority of the population of Latin America.